Quetiapine Tablets

What is this medication?

QUETIAPINE (kwe TYE a peen) treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works by balancing the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, hormones that help regulate mood, behaviors, and thoughts. It belongs to a group of medications called antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medications can be used to treat several kinds of mental health conditions.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Seroquel

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blockage in your bowel
• Cataracts
• Constipation
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease
• High levels of prolactin
• History of breast cancer
• History of irregular heartbeat
• Liver disease
• Low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• Low blood pressure
• Parkinson's disease
• Prostate disease
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts, plans or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
• Thyroid disease
• Trouble passing urine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to quetiapine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Swallow it with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If it upsets your stomach you can take it with food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your care team.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medication and need smaller doses.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Metoclopramide
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
• Atropine
• Avasimibe
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
• Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, nefazodone, sertraline
• Certain medications for fungal infections like fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
• Certain medications for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness like scopolamine
• Cimetidine
• General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Ipratropium
• Levodopa or other medications for Parkinson's disease
• Medications for blood pressure
• Medications for seizures
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery
• Narcotic medications for pain
• Other medications that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
• Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
• Rifampin
• St. John's Wort

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

You may need to have an eye exam before and during use of this medication.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your care team.

You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medication can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your care team right away.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
• High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual cycle
• Increase in blood pressure in children
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism)—unusual weakness or fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, feelings of depression
• Pain or trouble swallowing
• Seizures
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Trouble passing urine
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.